2012 Kennedy Half Dollar

In a situation now familiar to collectors, the half dollar denomination was not produced for general circulation, but only struck in limited numbers for distribution within numismatic products. There are four different 2012 Kennedy Half Dollars that were offered within a variety of products.

Circulating quality examples with the “P” and “D” mint marks were available within numismatic bags and rolls. The 200-coin bags, which contained 100 examples for each mint mark, were priced at $139.95 each. The two roll sets, which contained one roll for each mint mark, were priced at $32.95 each. These products went on sale at the US Mint on May 15, 2012.

Proof versions with the “S” mint mark were released within various numismatic sets. The 2012 Proof Set and 2012 Birth Set contained a standard composition proof half dollar. The 2012 Silver Proof Set and 2012 Limited Edition Silver Proof Set contained a 90% silver version of the half dollar. Low sales of the annual sets resulted in the proof half dollars recording their lowest mintages in the history of the series at 841,972 clad proof and 395,443 silver proof coins.

The 2012 Uncirculated Coin Set also contained the denomination. The 2012 Kennedy Half Dollars included in this set carried an uncirculated or brilliant finish. These coins are produced to a higher standard than the circulating quality coins and handled more carefully, however they are not generally differentiated by collectors or the major grading services as a separate version.